Melvin E. Appel - Watertown

Feb. 19, 1942 - March 26, 2020

Posted

Melvin Appel, age 78, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at home with his family by his side. Private Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel. Rev. Paul Janke will officiate. Music will be provided by Carla Lindhorst as organist with Pastor Paul Lindhorst as the soloist. This will be Live-Streamed on our website. The family is requested to meet at the chapel by 12:30 p.m. for a family prayer service. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Estelline, SD. 

Melvin was born on February 19, 1942, at Volga, SD, to John and Virginia (Thompson) Appel, the eldest of six children. At the age of 12, Melvin’s family moved to Denver, CO. The following year his parents were killed in a vehicle accident. Melvin and two siblings, Milton and Marilyn, returned to Volga, SD, to be raised by their grandparents, Harvey and Erva Appel. After graduating from Volga High School, Melvin entered the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge in November 1963, Melvin returned to Volga and worked construction. 

Melvin was united in marriage to Diane Hutt on September 5, 1964, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE. The couple moved to Watertown in December 1964. To this union two children were born, Darwin and Nancy. Melvin was employed at Scott’s Mobile until August 1965 when he went to work at Minnesota Rubber Co., retiring in 1997. After retiring he was employed in maintenance at Jenkins Living Center for ten years. 

Melvin was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church. Melvin loved to hunt and fish. He was an avid reader and loved to camp and travel. Melvin enjoyed four trips to Alaska, where he acquired the nickname “Sockeye Sam” from fellow fishermen. 

He also took two trips to Hawaii and spent three winters at Padre Island, TX. His very special times were spent with his children and grandchildren. 

Mel is survived by his wife, Diane of Watertown, SD; his son, Darwin Appel of Watertown, SD and his daughter, Nancy (Steve) Malsom of Aberdeen, SD; four grandchildren, Mackenzie Malsom of Sauk Center, MN, Lane Malsom and Justice Malsom, both of Aberdeen, SD and Nathan Appel of Sioux Falls, SD; his brother, Michael (Diana) Appel of Park Rapids, MN; his sisters, Marilyn (Jeffrey) Budahl of Tilden, NE and Muriel Long of Natick, MA; his sisters-in-law, Karen Appel of Yankton, SD and Shirley (Al) Watland of Castlewood, SD and Sharon (Ron) Remmers of SanTan Valley, AZ; his brothers-in-law, Carl (Terri Sims) Hutt of Plymouth, MN and David (Deb) Hutt of Gillette, WY; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Virginia Appel; his grandparents, Harvey and Erva Appel and Fred and Emma Thompson; his brothers, Milton and Maynard; his father-in-law, Carl Hutt Jr.; and his mother-in-law, Gladys Hutt, both of Estelline, SD. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com.